Print apparatus, control method thereof, and print system

ABSTRACT

This invention saves a sensed image in a printer in an environment in which a digital camera can directly communicate with a printer, and a sensed image can be directly printed. 
     A printer ( 1000 ) and digital camera (DSC) can be directly connected to each other via a USB interface. Upon this direct connection, the digital camera and printer serve as a print system, and the DSC serves as a user interface in that system. When the user inputs a print instruction of a desired image on the DSC, a print process of that image is executed. When the user inputs a save instruction of a given image, that image is saved in a storage device in the printer. Even when the image is erased on the DSC side, original image data can be prevented from being lost.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a print apparatus and system, which candirectly communicate with a digital camera. Note that some recentdigital cameras have a function of sensing a moving image. However,since the basic function of a digital camera is at least a still imagephotographing function, apparatuses having the above function will alsobe called a digital camera (DSC).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Normally, upon printing an image sensed by a digital camera, thefollowing processes are required. That is, an image stored in thedigital camera is read by a personal computer (to be referred to as a PChereinafter), and is printed by a connected printer using an applicationrunning on the PC.

That is, the flow of image data is DSC→PC→printer, and possession of thePC is indispensable. Also, the PC must be started to print an imagestored in a DSC.

In consideration of such situation, some proposals in which a DSC andprinter are directly connected, and a print instruction is issued on adisplay normally equipped on the DSC (to be referred to as photo directprint hereinafter) have already been made.

Merits of use of the photo direct print system are easy print withoutstarting a PC and low system building cost since a PC is notindispensable. Upon connecting a DSC to a printer, a display normallyequipped on the DSC is used as means for giving various instructionsand, especially, for confirming an image to be printed. Hence, a printerdoes not require any special display used to confirm an image, and thecost can be further reduced.

In general, a DSC stores a sensed image in a detachable memory card(called a CF card, smart media card, or the like). Such memory card hasa storage size of, e.g., about 64 MB or 128 MB, and stores several tento 100 images since the resolution of recent DSCs is as high as severalmillion pixels.

In other words, when the maximum number of images that can be stored isreached, a new image cannot be sensed unless a free area is assured byerasing some or all stored images.

Therefore, important images must be printed before they are erased.However, if image data as sources of printouts are erased, thoseoriginal image data can never again be used (an image scanner may beused, but an image having quality as high as digital data as a 100%original image cannot be restored).

A PC user can store those images in a hard disk of the PC, but a userwho does not possess any PC cannot do it. Even for the PC user, he orshe must connect a DSC to a printer and to a PC, resulting introublesome operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in consideration of theaforementioned problems, and has as its object to provide a printapparatus which can save and print image data sensed by a digital cameraby substantially the same operations in a printer that can directlycommunicate with a digital camera, a control method thereof, and a printsystem.

In order to achieve the above object, a print apparatus according to thepresent invention comprises the following arrangement.

That is, a print apparatus for printing an image on a print medium,comprises:

communication means for directly communicating with a digital camera;

storage means for saving image data; and

saving means for, when the printer apparatus can directly communicatewith the digital camera via the communication means, writing and savingsensed images which are stored and held by the digital camera in thestorage means.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of a printapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a case wherein a digital camera and printapparatus are connected according to the embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a printer apparatus according to theembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to theembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic functional diagram in a print system according tothe first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the processing sequence on the digitalcamera side in the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the processing sequence on the printapparatus side in the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a schematic functional diagram in a print system according tothe second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic functional diagram in a print system according toa modification of the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the processing sequence on the digitalcamera side in the third embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the processing sequence on the printapparatus side in the third embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a schematic functional diagram in a print system according tothe fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the processing sequence on the digitalcamera side in the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the processing sequence on the printapparatus side in the fourth embodiment; and

FIG. 15 shows an example of a select window of an image to be output inthe digital camera of the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be describedhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Basic Arrangement>

A basic part in this embodiment will be explained below. In thefollowing description, a system in which an image stored in a storagemedium of a digital camera (DSC) is printed in an environment in which aprinter can directly communicate with the DSC will be referred to as aphoto direct print system.

FIG. 1 shows the outer appearance of a photo direct printer (to bereferred to as a PD printer hereinafter) in this embodiment, and FIG. 2shows a state wherein a DSC is directly connected to the printer.

Referring to FIG. 1, this PD print apparatus 1000 has a function ofprinting data received from a host computer (PC) as a normal PC printer,and a function of printing image data directly read from a storagemedium such as a memory card or the like or printing image data receivedfrom a digital camera.

A main body which forms a housing of the PD print apparatus 1000according to this embodiment has a lower case 1001, upper case 1002,access cover 1003, and exhaust tray 1004 as an exterior member. Thelower case 1001 nearly forms the lower half portion of the main body,and the upper case 1002 nearly forms the upper half portion of the mainbody. By combining these cases, a hollow structure which has a storagespace that stores mechanisms to be described later is formed. Openingsare respectively formed on the upper and front surfaces of the mainbody. Furthermore, one end portion of the exhaust tray 1004 is rotatablyheld by the lower case 1001, and rotation of the tray 1004 opens/closesthe opening formed on the front surface of the lower case 1001. For thisreason, upon making the print apparatus 1000 execute a print process,the exhaust tray 1004 is rotated toward the front surface side to openthe opening, so that print sheets can be exhausted from the opening. Theexhausted print sheets are stacked on the exhaust trays 1004 in turn.The exhaust tray 1004 stores two auxiliary trays 1004 a and 1004 b, andwhen these auxiliary trays are pulled out as needed, the loading area ofprint sheets can be enlarged/reduced in three steps.

One end portion of the access cover 1003 is rotatably held by the uppercase 1002 to be able to open/close the opening formed on the uppersurface of the main body. When the access cover 1003 is opened, aprinthead cartridge (not shown), ink tanks (not shown), or the likehoused in the main body can be exchanged. Although not shown, when theaccess cover 1003 is opened/closed, a projection formed on the rearsurface of the cover 1003 rotates a cover open/close lever. By detectingthe rotation position of that lever using a microswitch or the like, theopen/close state of the access cover can be detected.

A power key 1005 is arranged on the upper surface of the upper case 1003so the user can press it. A control panel 1010 which comprises variouskey switches, and the like is provided on the upper case 1002. Referencenumeral 1007 denotes an automatic feeder which automatically conveys aprint sheet into the apparatus main body. Reference numeral 1008 denotesa paper gap select lever which is used to adjust the gap between theprinthead and print sheet. Reference numeral 1009 denotes a card slotwhich receives an adapter that can receive a memory card. As this memorycard (PC), for example, a compact flash Card®, smart media Card®, memoryStick®, and the like are available. Reference numeral 1012 denotes aterminal used to connect a digital camera (to be described later). Sincethe digital camera normally adopts USB (Universal Serial Bus) as meansfor connecting a personal computer (PC), this embodiment adopts a USBinterface as the terminal 1012. Of course other communication means maybe used. In order to facilitate connection to the digital camera, frontaccess is allowed, as shown in FIG. 1.

On the other hand, the PD print apparatus 1000 also comprises aninterface which can realize a print process from a personal computer(PC). Normally, once the print apparatus is connected to the PC, thatconnection state is maintained under normal circumstances. Hence, thatinterface terminal is provided to the back surface of the printapparatus. This connection interface with the PC is not particularlylimited and may adopt a Centronics parallel interface, USB interface, orthe like. However, this interface supports at least a two-waycommunication function.

FIG. 2 shows the connection state of the PD print apparatus 1000 and adigital camera 3012 according to this embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, a cable 5000 (USB cable) comprises a connector 5001which is connected to the connector 1012 of the PD print apparatus 1000,and a connector 5002 which is connected to a connector 5003 of thedigital camera 3012. When the digital camera 3012 is connected to a PC,sensed images can be transferred to the PC by connecting the connector5001 to a USB connector of the PC.

The digital camera 3012 can output image data saved in its internalmemory via the connector 5003. Note that the digital camera 3012 canadopt various arrangements, e.g., an arrangement that comprises aninternal memory as storage means, an arrangement that comprises a slotfor receiving a detachable memory, and so forth. When the PD printapparatus 1000 and digital camera 3012 are connected via the cable 5000shown in FIG. 2, image data output from the digital camera 3012 can bedirectly printed by the PD print apparatus 1000.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the PD printer 1000 inthis embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU for controllingthe overall apparatus; 2, a ROM which stores the operation processingsequence (program) of the CPU 1 and font data; and 3, a RAM used as awork area of the CPU 1. Reference numeral 4 denotes a control panel(corresponding to 1010 in FIG. 1). Reference numeral 5 denotes aninterface used to connect the PC; and 7, an interface used to connect adigital still camera (USB host side). Reference numeral 8 denotes alarge-capacity storage device, which is a nonvolatile device such as ahard disk, MO, or the like that has a drive system for rotating astorage disk and has low unit memory cost. Reference numeral 9 denotes acard interface which can connect an adapter (PCMCIA) 10 that mounts amemory card. Reference numeral 6 denotes a printer engine. In thisembodiment, a print engine which ejects ink using heat energy isadopted. However, the present invention is not limited to such specificprint system. Reference numeral 11 denotes an interface used to connectan expansion device. As will be described in detail later, a displaydevice which is prepared as an option and is used to display an imagecan be connected to the interface 11.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the DSC (digital still camera) 3012.Referring to FIG. 4, reference numeral 31 denotes a CPU which controlsthe overall DSC; and 32, a ROM that stores the processing sequence ofthe CPU 31. Reference numeral 33 denotes a RAM which is used as a workarea of the CPU 31; and 34, a switch group used to make variousoperations. Reference numeral 35 denotes a liquid crystal display, whichis used to confirm a sensed image, and to display a menu upon makingvarious setups. Reference numeral 36 denotes an optical unit whichmainly comprises a lens and its drive system. Reference numeral 37denotes a CCD element; and 38, a driver which controls the optical unit36 under the control of the CPU 31. Reference numeral 39 denotes aconnector that connects a storage medium 40 (compact flash memory card,smart media card, or the like); and 41, a USB interface (USB slave side)used to connect the PC or PD printer 1000 of this embodiment.

The arrangements of the PD printer and DSC of this embodiment have beenexplained. An embodiment based on these arrangements will be explainedbelow.

In general, the DSC compresses a sensed image and saves that compressedimage in the detachable storage medium 40. The storage medium has a sizeof about 64 MB or 128 MB at most. Hence, the storage medium prepares fora new photographing operation by erasing stored images or reformattingthe medium.

If the user possesses a PC, he or she can build an environment thatallows reuse of images sensed by the DSC whenever he or she wants bytransferring and saving those images in a hard disk in the PC. However,if the user does not possess any PC, images which are printed beforeerasing the storage medium in the DSC are all he or she has. Hence, suchuser cannot reuse images as digital data.

Even for the user who possesses a PC, if a photo direct print system isalso formed, he or she normally prints without the intervention of thePC in consideration of time and effort. However, when such user wants tosave image data as digital data in the DSC in addition to suchprintouts, he or she must re-connect the DSC to the PC.

Hence, the present inventor provides the aforementioned large-capacitystorage device 8 in the PD printer.

With this arrangement, the user can save images sensed by the DSC whileutilizing the photo direct print system regardless of whether or not heor she possesses a PC. That is, the print and save processes do notrequire any re-connection, and all the above problems can be solved.

Preferred embodiments according to the present invention will beexplained hereinafter under such concept.

First Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of operation functions upon connecting theDSC 3012 and PD printer 1000 in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the connection state of the DSC 3012 and PDprinter 1000, the user selects on the LCD display 35 of the DSC whetheran image is to be printed or stored (saved). If the user wants to savean image, that image is saved in the storage device of the printer 1000via route A by selecting an image to be saved in turn. On the otherhand, if the user selects to print out an image, that image is printedby the print engine 6 of the printer 1000 via route B.

In the state wherein the DSC 3012 is connected to the printer 1000 as inthe above arrangement, two operations, i.e., print and save operationsof a sensed image, can be done without starting up the PC (or withoutany PC).

When the DSC 3012 is connected to the PD printer 1000 and an image inthe DSC 3012 is to be saved in the storage device 8 of the PD printer,for example, photographing date & time information is used as a filename. For example, when an arbitrary image is taken at 14: 37: 51, May27, 2002, a file name used upon saving that image in (the storage device8 of) the PD printer 1000 is “20020527143751.jpg”. As a result, eachindividual image can have a unique file name.

Assume that the user saves 10 images stored in the DSC 3012 in the PDprinter 1000 and then takes new 15 images while holding these images. Inthis state, when the user connects the DSC to the PD printer again andsaves the new images, the PD printer inquires the photographing date &time of each image. As a result, since the photographing date & time ofeach image is transferred from the DSC 3012, the PD printer candetermine whether or not a given image has already been saved. That is,when the user issues a save instruction of a given image on the DSCside, the PD printer acquires the photographing date & time informationof that image from the DSC. If an image having the same photographingdate & time information is present on the storage device 8, the PDprinter does not execute a transfer process of that image from the DSCto the PD printer, and informs the user of completion of that transferprocess.

Note that information that designates an image is not limited to thephotographing date & time, since it can uniquely designate an image. Forexample, at least one or a combination of a file name, file size, imageformat, file creation date & time information, identification value(e.g., a hash value calculated by a hash function) calculated from imagedata, identification information (e.g., a serial number) assigned by animage information server apparatus or print apparatus, and the like maybe used.

In this way, sensed images stored in the storage device 8 of the PDprinter 1000 increase. A method of reading out these images from theprinter is not particularly limited.

For example, since the PD printer 1000 appears as not only a printer andbut also an external storage device when viewed from the PC, the usercan freely read out and modify these images from the PC side.

In case of the user who does not possess any PC, if he or she selects“browse” displayed on an initial window of the DSC 3012 upon connectingthe DSC to the PD printer, images saved in the PD printer can bedisplayed on the LCD display 35 in turn, and desired ones of theseimages can be printed.

In order to implement the above processes, the DSC 3012 can processaccording to the flow chart in FIG. 6, and the PD printer 1000 canprocess according to the flow chart in FIG. 7.

The process on the DSC side will be explained first.

When the DSC 3012 is connected to the PD printer 1000 via the USB cableand its power switch is turned on, the DSC detects connection to theprinter via the USB interface. Upon detection of that connection, theDSC is switched to serve as a user interface device in the print systemof this embodiment (assume that its photographing function is disabledin this state). When the DSC and PD printer are connected, the PDprinter serves as the host side to control the DSC.

In step S1, a negotiation process starts. A detailed description of thisprocess will be omitted. In this case, it is checked if each othersdevices have a photo direct print function.

The flow advances to step S2. In step S2, the DSC displays a defaultmenu window on the liquid crystal display 35 and prompts the user toselect whether an image is to be output (saved or printed) to the PDprinter or images saved in the PD printer 1000 are to be browsed. Thisselection is made by operating the switch group 34 equipped on the DSC.

If the user has selected the browse mode, the flow advances to step S4to acquire an image from the PD printer 1000. In step S5, the acquiredimage is displayed. It is checked in steps S6 and S7 if a printinstruction or a display request of the next image is issued byoperating the switch group 34, while the image is displayed. If theprint instruction of the currently displayed image is issued, since thatimage is saved in the PD printer 1000, it need not be re-transferred tothe PD printer 1000. Therefore, the flow advances to step S12, andinformation that specifies the image and a print instruction need onlybe given.

On the other hand, if the user has selected output of the photographedimage to the PD printer 1000, the flow advances to step S8 to determinean image to be output. This image is determined by displayingphotographed images in turn and operating one of a print or saveinstruction switch when a desired image is displayed.

In either case, after the image to be output is determined, the flowadvances to step S9 to inform the PD printer 1000 of the photographingdate & time information of that image. At this time, the DSC alsotransfers file information of the image. As a result, the PD printer1000 checks if an image file having the same photographing date & timeinformation is saved on the basis of received information, and informsthe DSC 3012 of the presence/absence of such image having thecorresponding photographing date & time information. It should be notedthat, if the image file is saved into the storage device of the PDprinter 1000 with the name of file named by DSC, the PD printer cancheck, using the file name transmitted from the DSC, whether or not thedesignated image file has been saved in the storage device. In step S10,whether or not the image designated by the user has already been savedin the PD printer 1000 can be determined in accordance with thisinformation result. If it is determined that the corresponding image isnot saved, the flow advances to step S11 to output instruction contentswhich indicate a print or save mode, and to output the designated imagedata to the PD printer. Note that, if the instruction contents indicatethe print mode, it is preferable to transmit information indicating aprint condition of the image before transmitting the image data, becausethe PD printer 1000 can control the reading of the image in accordancewith the received print condition. For example, if the instructioncontents include an instruction of trimming, the PD printer can requestthe DSC to transmit a trimmed image to be printed. Thus, the PD printer1000 can recognize a kind of image processing for the image and startrecognized image processing at the early stage by that the DSC transmitsthe instruction of the print condition before the image data.Specifically, when a plurality of images are printed on one sheet, it ispossible to save the memory and to shorten the processing time, becausethe resize processing of each image can begin before the transmission ofall images ends.

Referring again to FIG. 6, if it is determined that the outputinstruction of an image which has already been saved in the PD printeris issued, the instruction contents and information required to specifythat image are sent to the PD printer side in step 12.

The processing sequence in the PD printer 1000 will be described below.

Upon connection to the DSC via the USB cable, the PD printer makesnegotiation in step S31, requests the DSC to issue an instruction, andshifts in a polling state. Upon reception of an instruction from theDSC, the instruction contents are determined in steps S32 to S34.

If it is determined that the instruction is a browse request, the flowadvances to step S35, and the PD printer transfers image data in thestorage device 8 to the DSC to allow the DSC to browse an image. Afterthat, every time the browse request is detected, a command contained inthat request is interpreted, and the requested image is transferred tothe DSC side as long as the requested image is saved.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the instruction is aninquiry that asks if the image on the DSC side has already been saved inthe PD printer side, the PD printer searches the storage device 8 for afile having photographing date & time information as a search keycontained in that inquiry command, and informs the DSC of the resultindicating whether or not the corresponding file is found.

If it is determined that the instruction is a save instruction, the flowadvances to step S38. In step S38, the PD printer checks a flagcontained in that command to see if an image is appended. If it isdetermined that an image is appended, the PD printer executes a saveprocess of that image as a new image in step S39, and sends a completionmessage to the DSC. If it is determined in step S38 that an imagedesignated by the save request has already been saved, the PD printerimmediately sends a completion message to the DSC.

If it is determined that the instruction is a print instruction, the PDprinter checks if that print instruction designates an already savedimage. If it is determined that the print instruction designates anunsaved image, the PD printer receives image data from the DSC (stepS41), and executes a print process of that image in step S43. If theprint request designates the already saved image (including an imagethat has already been printed in the browse mode), the correspondingimage is read from the storage device, and its print process is executedin step S43.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, in the systemwhich directly connects the digital camera (DSC) and printer 1000, theprinter 1000 serves not only as a simple print apparatus but also as animage storage device. Therefore, the user can easily execute print andsave processes regardless of whether or not he or she possesses a PC.

In the above embodiment, upon issuing a print instruction of an imagewhich is not saved in the PD printer, that image is output to the PDprinter but is not saved. However, unsaved image data may beautomatically saved. In this case, an image save process can be executedimmediately after step S41.

In some cases, the user may select one of print, save, and print & savemodes. In such case, image data need only be transferred only once fromthe DSC to the printer.

In the above description, the process for determining whether or not animage to be output to the PD printer has already been saved in the PDprinter is implemented by determining an image to be output and thentransmitting its photographing date & time information from the DSC tothe PD printer. However, the present invention is not limited to suchspecific process.

For example, in the negotiation process executed upon connecting the DSCand PD printer, the PD printer inquires the DSC about how many imagesare saved. If it is determined as a result of this process that 20images are saved in the DSC, unique numbers (handlers) are assigned toindividual objects, and an object (image) is then exchanged using thishandler. Therefore, when the PD printer inquires the DSC of detailedinformation (containing photographing date & time information) of eachindividual image, it can determine in advance if objects correspondingto all handlers are already saved images.

For example, when the DSC issues a print request of an image with handle“15”, if the PD printer has recognized at that time that the image hasalready been registered in the storage device 8, it can issue aninstruction indicating “print completion or print instruction receptioncompletion” at the time of reception of the request, read out thecorresponding image from the storage device 8, and execute its printprocess. On the other hand, if it is determined that the requested imageis not saved in the storage device 8, the PD printer can issue an imagetransfer request to the DSC, and output “print completion or printinstruction reception completion” upon completion of reception of thatimage. The same applies to the save process in the storage device 8.

However, when the user browses an image saved in the PD printer from theDSC side, a print request of the currently browsed image is processed asfollows.

The storage device 8 gradually stores a large number of images.Therefore, if unique handlers are assigned to those images, the numberof handles is expected to be huge. However, when the user browses imageson the DSC side, the number of images which can be simultaneouslydisplayed on the liquid crystal display of the DSC is 3×3 images at mostif they are reduced in size. Hence, identical handlers may be usedcyclically. That is, if the display of the DSC is capable of displaying3×3 images at the same time, nine handlers are generated upon outputtingimages from the storage device 8 to the DSC, and are appended to theimages to be output to the DSC. Upon reception of a browse request ofthe next nine images, identical handlers are assigned, and correspondingimages are output to the DSC. That is, in the browse mode, the PDprinter need only manage a maximum of nine handles of images which areoutput to the DSC to be browsed. Upon determination of an image to beprinted, the DSC informs the PD printer of a print command and thehandler of that image. Hence, the subsequent process can be the same asthat for the print request of the already saved image.

In the negotiation process executed upon connecting the DSC and PDprinter, the PD printer may confirm if each of images on the DSC sidehas already been saved in the storage, and may inform the DSC of thatresult. Then, the DSC may display that information on its UI (e.g.,displays a “saved” mark on the corresponding photo image). As a result,the user can determine photos to be saved.

Alternatively, the same method may be implemented by appendinginformation indicating “saved” to image files held on the DSC side.

For example, a window shown in FIG. 15 may be used. FIG. 15 shows adisplay example on the display 35 upon selecting an image to be outputin the DSC. In case of FIG. 15, 2×2 images are displayed. In FIG. 15, anupper left image with a bold frame indicates that this image is selectedat that time. Since the DSC has various operation switches (or buttons),a selected image can be changed using these switches. Finally, the userdesignates an output purpose (save, print, or save & print) of theselected image. Note that whether or not each individual image hasalready been saved in the storage device 8 of the PD printer can bedetermined by a mark indicating this upon displaying the image. Notethat FIG. 15 shows a display example of 2×2 images. However, 3×3 imagesmay be displayed, or only one image may be displayed.

In the above embodiment, the storage device 8 has been exemplified asstorage means for saving (storing) images. Alternatively, a storagemedium (e.g., a CF card, smart media card, or the like) which can beconnected to the PD printer may be used, or both the storage device andstorage medium may be used. However, a rotary mass storage device suchas a hard disk or the like is preferably used since it can store a largenumber of images and has very low memory unit cost. In the abovedescription, the storage device 8 is incorporated in the printer, butmay be connected externally. However, since the printer normally has asufficiently large storage space, and a storage device requires a powersupply cable and the like if it is connected externally, the printerpreferably incorporates the storage device. The same applies toembodiments to be described below.

Upon printing a saved image, identification information (file name,serial number or the like) which specifies the file of that image ispreferably printed together at an appropriate position of that printout.As a result, when the user wants to print a printed image again, he orshe can designate that identification information by operating theconsole of the PD printer, and can print that image without connectingthe DSC again.

As described above, the PD printer of this embodiment is connected tothe host computer and serves as a normal printer, and the storage device8 of the PD printer also serves as an external storage device for thehost computer. Therefore, when the PD printer of this embodiment isconnected to the host computer in operation, if the DSC is connected tothe PD printer, access from the host computer is preferably inhibitedduring write access of image data from the DSC to the storage device 8.For this purpose, for example, a process for inhibiting access from thehost computer may be executed immediately before step S39 in FIG. 7, anda process for permitting access may be executed immediately after stepS39.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment, whether to print or save an image is selectedon the DSC (digital still camera) side. However, such selection may bemade on the PD printer side.

Since the hardware arrangements of the PD printer and DSC are the sameas those in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted,and FIG. 8 is a schematic functional diagram of the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, the DSC side has a function of simply outputting animage in response to a request from an external device (which may beeither a PC or PD printer), i.e., an inevitable function of a DSC whichcomprises a USB interface.

When save and print processes are to be executed on the PD printer side,the PD printer must have a function of displaying each individual imageeven at a low resolution so as to confirm a process to be executed forthat image.

A case will be explained below wherein a display device (not shown) isconnected to the expansion device interface 11 shown in FIG. 11.

When the DSC 3012 is connected to the PD printer 1000, one or 3×3 imagesof those held by the DSC 3012 are transferred to the PD printer 1000,which displays these images on its display device, and prompts the userto set processes for desired ones of the displayed images. As the setupcontents, as described above, one of the print, save, or print & savemode of a target image is designated.

When the save mode is designated, the save process in the storage device8 is executed. When the print mode is designated, the output process tothe printer engine 6 is executed. When the print & save mode isdesignated, both the save and print processes are executed.

When the DSC is connected to the PD printer, and a process to beexecuted is selected on the UI of the PD side, the DSC may hold animage, which has already been saved in the PD printer. Therefore, thealready saved image is not output from the DSC to the PD printer but isread out from the storage device 8 of the PD printer and is displayed.As a result, the data size of an image to be transmitted from the DSC tothe PD printer can be reduced, and an image to be selected by the usercan be consequently updated quickly. Whether or not an image has alreadybeen saved may be determined based on its photographing date & timeinformation, as in the above embodiment.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the user canissue print and save instructions as he or she wants while the digitalcamera and printer are directly connected, as in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, a desired one of previously saved images canbe printed by operating the display and switch group of the PD printer.

However, according to the second embodiment, since the display devicefor displaying images as an optional device must be additionallypurchased, cost increases inevitably. Therefore, it is preferable todesignate a printout or save mode using the aforementioned firstembodiment, i.e., the user interface of the digital camera. This isbecause upon adopting the first embodiment, the digital camera requiresonly addition of software, in other words, the first embodiment can beimplemented by only updating the firmware version.

<Modification>

An example wherein a print process is executed using the UI on the DSC,and the storage on the printer side is utilized will be explained.

More specifically, the storage is incorporated in or externallyconnected to the printer, and the DSC has a normal direct connect printfunction but does not have any storage instruction function. Asoperations at that time,

1. The user selects a mode “print/save/print & save” using a UI/selectswitch or the like on the printer. (Firmware may automatically determinethe mode in accordance with status of the storage function.)

2. The user makes a direct connect print operation using the UI on theDSC (old model).

3. The printer prints and/or saves incoming image information on thebasis of the setup contents of 1.

As described above, even a DSC of old model, which has no storageinstruction function, can enjoy a merit of the storage function. Also, acache function (to be described later) and the like can be similarlyutilized. When the DSC side has a storage instruction function (whichcan be determined in the initial negotiation process), since the DSCside can issue instructions of print, save and the like, it is oftenpreferable to turn off (disable) the function on the PD printer side ofthis embodiment, i.e., the mode select function of selecting whether ornot an image is to be saved using the UI on the PD printer side, and topreferentially process an instruction from the DSC.

Third Embodiment

In the first and second embodiments, the PD printer is provided with afunction of saving (storing) images sensed by the DSC, and print andsave (storage) processes of sensed images are implemented by a simplesystem, i.e., a combination of the DSC and PD printer. In the third andsubsequent embodiments, evolved examples of the above embodiments willbe explained.

In general, since a printer operates based on a power supply from an ACoutlet, there is no need to give attention to its power supply. On theother hand, a digital camera is driven by a battery since it must beusable anywhere wanted by the user.

Therefore, the system in which the digital camera is directly connectedto the printer must take precaution against battery shutoff. Morespecifically, when the battery of the DSC has run out during output ofone image frame designated on the DSC side by the printer, the printprocess is aborted in the middle, and a print sheet and inks of theprinter are wasted accordingly.

In case of USB connection, since consumption power during data transferis not negligible, the connection time with the printer while the powersupply of the DSC is ON is preferably shorter, and risks of batteryshutoff can then be lowered accordingly.

The third embodiment solves such problem.

FIG. 9 is a schematic functional diagram of the third embodiment. Asshown in FIG. 9, in the initial stage of connection of the DSC to the PDprinter, images stored in (the storage medium 40 of) the DSC areunconditionally transferred to the storage device 8. In other words,upon detection of connection with the DSC, the PD printer 1000 sendsread requests of all images stored in the DSC 3012, and stores them inthe storage device 8. Since correspondence between an image designatedby a print instruction on the DSC side and that saved in the storagedevice 8 must be specified later, unique handlers are assigned to imagesupon (before) transfer.

Since images are simultaneously transferred, it is advantageous toreduce the overhead upon transfer can be reduced, and to make datatransfer while nearly fully using the USB bandwidth.

Furthermore, every time the user selects one image to be printed on theDSC side, a print instruction may be issued. Alternatively, the userselects images to be printed in turn, and a print instruction of theseimages is finally issued. As a result, a list (script) that describes aplurality of images to be printed can be supplied to the PD printer.Upon completion of these operations, even if the battery of the DSC hasrun out, the PD printer has already received information about images tobe printed, and these images has already been cached on the storagedevice 8. Therefore, originally scheduled print processes of a pluralityof images can be executed.

The hardware arrangements of the PD printer and DSC are the same asthose in FIGS. 3 and 4, and their processing sequences will be describedbelow.

The processing sequence in the DSC 3012 will be described below withreference to the flow chart of FIG. 10.

Upon connection of the DSC 3012 to the PD printer 1000, a negotiationprocess is executed in step S51. Then, handlers uniquely assigned toindividual images stored in the storage medium 40 in the DSC 3012 aresupplied to the PD printer, thus sharing (commonizing) informationrequired to specify images in the DSC (step S52).

The flow then advances to step S53 to output all images stored in thestorage medium 40 to the PD printer. In steps S54 and S55, the userselects images to be printed using the liquid crystal display and switchgroup. In this selection, the user can select a plurality of images.When the user finally issues a print instruction, a list (script) thatdescribes handlers of an image group (one or more images) selected sofar is output to the PD printer 1000.

The operation processing sequence on the PD printer 1000 is executed inaccordance with the flow chart shown in FIG. 11.

In step S61, a negotiation process is executed. In step S62, thehandlers of images stored and held by the DSC are received to shareinformation required to specify images.

In step S63, images transferred from the DSC are stored in turn in thestorage device 8. In step S64, the control waits for reception of a listthat describes the handlers of images to be printed.

Upon reception of this list, the flow advances to step S65. In step S65,one of the handlers described in that list is read out, and a printprocess of that image is executed. The process in step S65 is repeateduntil it is determined that the print processes of all images describedin the list are complete (step S66).

As described above, according to the third embodiment, in the initialstage of direct connection of the digital camera DSC 3012 to the PDprinter 1000, all images stored and held by the DSC 3012 are saved inthe PD printer 1000. After the user selects an image to be printed andissues its print instruction on the DSC side, the print process of thedesignated image is guaranteed.

Upon implementing the function of only the third embodiment, the storagedevice 8 of the PD printer 1000 need only have a storage capacityequivalent to that of the storage medium 40 of the DSC 3012. In suchcase, the storage device 8 can comprise a volatile memory. Therefore, aCF card, smart media card, or the like may be used as the storage device8.

Fourth Embodiment

The fourth embodiment will exemplify a case that can speed up the printprocess on the PD printer 1000 side.

Normally, sensed images stored in the DSC are compressed by JPEG. As iswell known, JPEG is a technique for compressing luminance information incase of a monochrome image, and also color difference information inaddition to the luminance information in case of a color image. On theother hand, when an image is printed by a printer, a color image isreproduced using three colors, i.e., yellow, magenta, and cyan assubtractive primary colors, or four colors, i.e., black in addition tothese colors. Hence, a color space conversion process is required. Also,a color correction process based on the characteristics of a DSC of eachmanufacturer is required. Furthermore, a zoom process is requireddepending on the size of a print sheet used even when an image remainsthe same, and also depending on the number of images to be printed perprint sheet even when the print sheet of the same size is used.Moreover, since image data must be converted into binary informationrequired to control a printhead to eject/not eject inks, a binarizationprocess (for example, error diffusion is known) is required.

In the third embodiment, upon issuing a print instruction of a givenimage on the DSC side, an image processing result according to theinstruction contents is stored and held in the storage device. Whenanother print instruction of that image is issued without changing itssetup contents, the previous processing result is used intact. Hence,when the same print condition is set for at least one image, the secondand subsequent print processes are speeded up. Upon implementing thethird embodiment, the storage device in the PD printer 1000 requires anonvolatile, large-capacity storage device as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic functional diagram of the fourth embodiment. Theoperations illustrated in FIG. 12 will be described below.

When the DSC 3012 is connected to the PD printer 1000, all images storedin the DSC 3012 are stored in the storage device 8 first (referencenumeral 1201 in FIG. 12). If the same image as that which has alreadybeen saved in the storage device 8 is held in the DSC, that image is nottransferred. That is, all images stored in the DSC 3012 are held by thePD printer 1000. The purpose for this transfer process is as has beenexplained in the third embodiment.

After all images in the DSC 3012 are held in the storage device in thePD printer 1000, images to be printed are selected and their printconditions (a print sheet size, and layout indicating if one or 2×2images are printed per print sheet) are set using the DSC 3012 as in thethird embodiment. Then, a list (script) which describes the handlers ofimages to be printed, and their conditions is sent to the PD printer1000.

The PD printer 1000 checks for each individual image based on thereceived print request if the previous image processing result under thesame condition is saved. If it is determined that no such result issaved, a corresponding image process is executed (reference numeral 1202in FIG. 12), and that result is output to the printer engine 6 and issaved in the storage device 8 (reference numeral 1203 in FIG. 12).

If the previous image processing result is saved in the storage device 8intact, the corresponding image processed data in the storage device 8is output to the printer engine 6 to execute its print process(reference numeral 1204 in FIG. 12).

Upon implementing the above processes, the DSC 3012 and PD printer 1000can process according to the flow charts shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

The processing sequence on the DSC side will be described first withreference to FIG. 13.

Upon connection of the DSC 3012 to the PD printer, a negotiation processis executed in step S71. In step S72, handlers as information requiredto specify images stored and held by the DSC are shared between the DSC3012 and PD printer 1000. At this time, if original image data (JPEGimage data) that have already saved in the storage device 8 are found,the PD printer 1000 informs the DSC of them. Therefore, images which aresaved in the storage device 8 of the PD printer are not transferred inan image transfer process in step S73, thus shortening the time requiredto transfer.

After that, the user selects an image to be printed (step S74) andinputs its print conditions (to designate the image size, layout, printsheet size, and the like upon print) (step S75) in turn using the UI(liquid crystal display 35 and operation switch group 35) of the DSC. Inthis way, if the user inputs a print instruction using the UI (YES isdetermined in step S76), a list (script) that describes the handlers andprint conditions of images is output to the PD printer (step S77).

The process on the PD printer 1000 side will be described below withreference to the flow chart of FIG. 14.

In step S81, a negotiation process is executed. In step S82, a handlersharing process is executed. At this time, it is checked if images(original JPEG images) stored and held on the DSC 3012 side have alreadybeen saved in the storage device 8, and information indicating thepresence/absence of such images is transmitted to the DSC. Note thatthis checking process is done based on photographing date & timeinformation.

In step S83, images transferred from the DSC are saved in the storagedevice (photographing date & time information is used upon saving imagesas in the first embodiment). Already saved images are not transferred.That is, since only images taken after the previous printout process aretransferred, the processes up to step S83 can be completed within a veryshort period of time as long as this system is used.

In step S84, the control waits for reception of a print list (a scriptthat describes the handlers indicating images to be printed and theirprint conditions). Upon reception of this list, the flow advances tostep S85 to check if an image processing result under the sameconditions as the designated conditions of an image corresponding to thehandler of one image in the list is saved in the storage device 8.

If it is determined that the image processing result under the sameconditions of the image of interest is saved, that image data is outputto the printer engine 6 to execute its print process (S86).

On the other hand, if it is determined that no such image processingresult is saved, image processes (zooming, color conversion, andbinarization processes) are executed according to the set conditions instep S87. In step S88, that processing result is output to the printerengine 6 and is saved as a file in the storage device 8. Note that theimage processing result file, original image, and the processingcontents of the image processing result are saved in association witheach other. The checking process in step S85 is done by comparing theprint conditions designated by the DSC with those for processing resultimages saved in the storage device 8.

The image processing result file saved in this embodiment need notalways store result data that has undergone all image processes, but maystore intermediate data. When image information itself has beenmodified, an image processing result file must be managed independentlyof an original image file (e.g., to allow a PC to read out that imagefile). In such case, the generated image processing result file is validfor only the printer, and consumes many storage capacity.

Hence, for example, when the image processes include a “process foranalyzing an original image file and executing a specific imageprocess”, parameters obtained by a process of generating parameters forthe image processes are appended in a format that does not modifyoriginal image file. A sequence for generating parameters can beobviated from the next output, and the consumption of the storagecapacity can be suppressed.

Furthermore, when the parameters appended to the file have a format thatcan be commonly used by, e.g., a printer driver on a PC, the effect ofthe present invention can be enjoyed in broader fields.

Note that a technique for recording information (e.g., a DPOF file orthe like) that designates an image to be printed in a digital camerabefore connecting the digital camera to a printer is already known.

If it is determined that print designation information is recorded insuch digital camera, images may be automatically transferred in turnfrom a print-designated image to a storage medium of the printer afterthe digital camera is connected to the printer without a print startinstruction or a image selecting instruction by a user.

At this time, image data stored in the storage medium of the printer mayhave already undergone an image process for print. When this imageprocess for print reflects an image process set in the pre-stored printdesignation information, the print designation information may behelpful to confirm the contents of the image process later.

In this manner, since an image which is more likely to be printed ofthose in the digital camera can be transferred early, the print processcan start earlier than the case wherein all images in the digital cameraare transferred.

Since all images need not be transferred, the storage capacity of thestorage medium on the printer side can be saved.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the functionsand effects as well as those of the first and third embodiments can beprovided. Also, when an image which has been previously printed at leastonce is to be printed under the same conditions, the load on the printprocess in the PD printer 1000 can be reduced, and the print process canbe speeded up.

Even when other conditions are designated, if an original image hasalready been saved in the storage device in the PD printer 1000, thatimage is not transferred (the user feels as if transfer were completeinstantaneously). Hence, the connection time between the DSC and PDprinter can be shortened, and risks of battery shutoff can be lowered.

According to the fourth embodiment, when one image is printed under somedifferent conditions, image processing results corresponding in numberto those conditions are stored in the storage device, thus improving thehit rate. In general, since the user rarely sets many different printconditions, such process is more effective.

Since the image processes finally generate an image compatible to aprinthead, ink consumption amounts upon printing that image can bedetermined at that time. This is because the number of times of inkejection for each of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black components can becounted. These count results are stored in correspondence with the imageprocessed file. As a result, the following control can be made.

Since a technique for detecting an ink remaining amount is astate-of-the-art one, information associated with the ink remainingamount of each color component is acquired in advance. When the imageprocessing result of an image to be printed is stored in the storagedevice, if the ink use amount of each color component consumed uponprinting that image is smaller than the remaining amount, the printprocess of that image is canceled. Or if the print process is executed,an alert indicating that a normal print process is unlikely to beaccomplished is generated. It is desired for such alert means to adopt auser-friendly format. In an environment in which the DSC and PD printerare directly connected as in this embodiment, the liquid crystal displayon the DSC side is used for the user's convenience. Hence, that alertmessage is sent from the PD printer to the DSC, which displays thereceived message on the UI.

As described above, according to the third and fourth embodiments, whena system that directly connects a digital camera and printer is built,images stored and held in the digital camera are transferred to theprinter in the initial stage of their connection. Hence, after the userhas issued a print instruction, even when the battery of the digitalcamera runs out during the print process, the printout processes of thescheduled image (or images) can be completed.

Note that the third and fourth embodiments can be combined with thefirst embodiment. For example, when the first embodiment is applied tothe fourth embodiment, the user can freely browse images in the PDprinter by issuing a browse instruction after negotiation. Therefore, bycombining the first embodiment with the third and fourth embodiments,the PD printer can be used as an image storage device.

In an environment in which the PD printer of the above embodiment canalso be connected to a personal computer (PC), for example, when a PCowner wants to print an image stored in the PD printer on the PC, anddata that matches the current print conditions is saved in the PDprinter, he or she need only inform the printer of its handler andconditions, thus printing the desired image. To this end, a printerdriver which runs on the PC side may include the same operations as theDSC.

Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the USB interface and USBcable have been exemplified as connection means between the DSC and PDprinter. However, the present invention is not limited to such specificconnection means, but other means may be used. For example, wirelesscommunication means (e.g., Bluetooth® or wireless LAN) may be used.Since most of digital cameras comprise a USB interface, and suchhardware resource can be utilized intact, USB connection is preferable,and the load on digital camera manufacturers can be reduced.

In the description of each of the above embodiments, the printerapparatus serves as a USB host, and the DSC serves as a USB slave. Asdescribed above, in view of the facts that most of recent digitalcameras have a USB slave function to communicate with a PC, the numberof digital camera manufacturers is larger than that of printermanufacturers, and a host device need not trouble about a power supply,when the printer side serves as a host, the load on the manufacturerscan be reduced, the manufacturers can sufficiently enjoy merits uponbuilding a system as the object of the present invention, and suchsystem is preferable for end users.

As described above, according to the present invention, in a system inwhich a digital camera and printer can directly communicate with eachother and a sensed image can be directly printed, sensed images can besaved in the printer. Hence, even when previously sensed images areerased on the digital camera side, images themselves can be avoided frombeing erased.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present inventioncan be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificembodiments thereof except as defined in the claims.

1-18. (canceled)
 19. A print apparatus which has a printing unit forprinting an image on a printing medium, comprising: a storage unit thatstores image data; a communication unit that communicates with a digitalcamera; a reception unit that receives, from the digital camera via saidcommunication unit, a job in which information indicating either aninstruction of storing an image or an instruction of printing an imageis described and image designation information designating the image tobe stored or printed is described; a determination unit that, when saidreception unit receives the job from the digital camera, determineswhether or not image data of the image specified by the imagedesignation information described in the received job has already beenstored in said storage unit; a preservation processing unit that, if thereceived job includes an instruction of storing an image and saiddetermination unit determines that the image data of the imagedesignated by the image designation information described in the job hasnot been stored yet in said storage unit, sends to the digital camera atransfer request of the image data to be stored and stores in saidstorage unit the image data sent from the digital camera in response tosending the transfer request; and a print processing unit that, if thereceived job includes an instruction of printing an image and saiddetermination unit determines that the image data to be printed hasalready been stored in said storage unit, reads out from said storageunit the image data designated by the image designation informationdescribed in the received job without sending to the digital camera thetransfer request for sending the image data of the image designated bythe image designation information described in the job and executesprint processing of the read out image data by the printing unit, and,if the received job includes an instruction of printing an image andsaid determination unit determines that the image data to be printed hasnot been stored yet in said storage unit, said print processing unitsends to the digital camera the transfer request for sending the imagedata of the image designated by the image designation informationdescribed in the job and executes the print processing of the image datasent from the digital camera in response to sending the transfer requestby the printing unit.
 20. The print apparatus according to claim 19,wherein, if the received job includes an instruction of printing animage and said determination unit determines that the image data to beprinted has not been stored yet in said storage unit, said storage unitstores the image data sent from the digital camera in response tosending the transfer request.
 21. The print apparatus according to claim19, wherein said determination unit determines whether image data of animage designated by the image designation information described in thereceived job has been stored in said storage unit using at least one ofphotographing time information, a file name, a file size, an imageformat, file creation time information, and identification informationcalculated from the image data.
 22. The print apparatus according toclaim 19, further comprising a unit that stores, in said storage unit,image data of images having been held by the digital camera and havingnot been stored yet in said storage unit at an initial stage when theprint apparatus and the digital camera are connected directly.
 23. Amethod of controlling a print apparatus which has a printing unit forprinting an image on a printing medium, a communication unit thatcommunicates with a digital camera and a storage unit that stores imagedata, said method comprising: a reception step of receiving, from thedigital camera via the communication unit, a job in which informationindicating either an instruction of storing an image or an instructionof printing an image is described and image designation informationdesignating the image to be stored or printed is described; adetermination step of, when the job from the digital camera is receivedin said reception step, determining whether or not image data of theimage specified by the image designation information described in thereceived job has already been stored in the storage unit; a preservationprocessing step of, if the received job includes an instruction ofstoring an image and said determination step determines that the imagedata of the image designated by the image designation informationdescribed in the job has not been stored yet in the storage unit,sending to the digital camera a transfer request of the image data to bestored and storing in the storage unit the image data sent from thedigital camera in response to sending the transfer request; and a printprocessing step of, if the received job includes an instruction ofprinting an image and said determination step determines that the imagedata to be printed has already been stored in the storage unit, readingout from the storage unit the image data designated by the imagedesignation information described in the received job without sending tothe digital camera the transfer request for sending the image data ofthe image designated by the image designation information described inthe job and executing print processing of the read out image data by theprinting unit, and, if the received job includes an instruction ofprinting an image and said determination step determines that the imagedata to be printed has not been stored yet in the storage unit, saidprint processing step sends to the digital camera the transfer requestfor sending the image data of the image designated by the imagedesignation information described in the job and executes the printprocessing the image data sent from the digital camera in response tosending the transfer request.
 24. The method according to claim 23,wherein, if the received job is an instruction of printing an image andsaid determination step determines that the image data to be printed hasnot been stored yet in the storage unit, the image data sent from thedigital camera in response to sending the transfer request is stored inthe storage unit.
 25. The method according to claim 23, wherein saiddetermination step determines whether image data of an image designatedby the image designation information described in the received job hasbeen stored in the storage unit using at least one of photographing timeinformation, a file name, a file size, an image format, file creationtime information, and identification information calculated from theimage data.
 26. The method according to claim 23, further comprising astep of storing, in the storage unit, image data of images having beenheld by the digital camera and having not been stored yet in the storageunit at an initial stage when the print apparatus and the digital cameraare connected directly.